Clearview National October 2019 - Issue 215 | Page 34

INDUSTRYASSOCIATIONS
The Guild of Architectural
Ironmongers (GAI)
» » THE GUILD OF
Architectural Ironmongers (GAI)
is the only trade body in the UK
that represents the interests of the
whole architectural ironmongery
industry - architectural
ironmongers, wholesalers and
manufacturers.
Its education programme has
been developed over 50 years
and is the only internationally
recognised architectural
ironmongery qualification
to British and European
standards.
Learners on the education
programme have come from 27
different countries, with nearly
half of them based outside the
UK, including from Sri Lanka,
Canada, India, China, South
Africa and the Gulf.
Rachel Tipton, GAI education
manager, said:
“Year on year the education
programme continues to grow,
particularly overseas where
nearly half of the 2018/19
cohort of learners were based.
We are continually developing
our courses to ensure that
they are up to date with the
ever-evolving architectural
ironmongery product offerings
and legislation.
“The GAI education programme
is suitable for architectural
ironmongers, wholesalers,
manufacturers and trade counter
staff; anyone who encounters door
hardware on a regular basis and
wants to ensure they are always
giving the best possible advice to
their customers.
“No other qualification offers
such a broad knowledge and
understanding of ironmongery.
The GAI is very proud of the
Diploma programme and its
status as the most recognised
qualification in the industry.”
FOUNDATION IN
HARDWARE
The GAI education programme
starts with the Foundation in
Hardware module, an online
introductory course designed to
raise knowledge and standards
among those who need to
understand the basics but
don’t need to live and breathe
ironmongery in their day-to-day
jobs.
It is ideal for those who are
not involved in the detail of
architectural ironmongery in
their day-to-day job but want to
gain a basic understanding of the
industry.
CERTIFICATE IN
ARCHITECTURAL
HARDWARE (CIAH)
The CiAH consists of two
stages with 24 education
modules covering everything
an architectural ironmonger is
required to know, giving students
a thorough understanding of
the what, how and when of
ironmongery with this self-led,
online course and examination.
CIAH STAGE 1
Stage 1 provides a good footing
into ironmongery, covering
subjects such as closing devices,
locks and latches, fixings and basic
scheduling. Learners who complete
Stage 1 are fully competent in
making informed decisions when
working with particular products
and materials, as well as having
a good understanding of best
practices and industry standards.
CIAH STAGE 2
Stage 2 takes learners to the
next level, showing them how
to apply product and industry
knowledge. It also gives a more
in-depth understanding of the
architectural hardware industry
and its vast components such as,
fire door hardware, access control
systems, intermediate scheduling
and more.
GAI DIPLOMA
Once the CiAH has been
completed, students may choose
to continue their studies by
enrolling for the GAI Diploma.
This stage focuses entirely on
the skills and learning needed
for scheduling the architectural
ironmongery, electric hardware
and key control for a project, and
is of particular importance to
those architectural ironmongers
working on projects being built
34 » OCT 2019 » CL EARVI E W- UK . C O M
Rachel Tipton,
GAI education manager
to UK and European standards
across the globe. 
Jamie Reid, a security sales
representative from Allgood Trio,
(pictured below with Sir Ranulph
Fiennes and past GAI president
Maria Powell) completed the GAI
education programme in 2016.
“I use the knowledge I’ve gained
from the CiAH and the GAI
Diploma every day. It gives you a
broad overview of the all door and
window hardware products across
the whole industry, not just the
sector your company specialises
in.”
Whether the project involves
working with an architect, builder,
joinery contractor, building
manager or a homeowner, the
Diploma will give students the
confidence and competence
to discuss the ironmongery
requirements for any project,
including the ability to write
accurate hardware specifications.
Once they have completed the
Diploma, they become a DipGAI,
an industry recognised symbol of
professionalism.
The 2019/20 education
programme prospectus has been
published on the GAI website,
outlining the qualifications,
course content and training
support available. It also gives
further information on becoming
a Registered Architectural
Ironmonger (RegAI) through
the Continued Professional
Development (CPD) programme.
The programme offers flexibility
for busy professionals and far more
opportunity to gain CPD points. 
Enrolments are open from now
until 20 December 2019.
www.gai.org.uk